Camden City Info

Sign up to our Newsletter

Things to do

London borough of Camden » Entertainment » Nightlife

Camden Town is one of the most popular areas of London for a night out, particularly with fans of alternative rock music. This charming little area offers something for everyone and music aficionados may want to explore the neighbourhood's diverse range of music and nightlife venues. Camden Town's alternative pub-crawl nights include some of the best bars, clubs and live music venues where you will party and drink with a whole lot of people.

Of all these, Parkway, Chalk Farm Road, Kentish Town Rd and Camden High St. are the core areas pioneered by music clubs and live concert venues. Find the best gigs featuring alternative music like Live, House, Bar Cat, Beat Boy, Jazz Buff or Fly Chick, thriving at these nightspots.
Along with the street markets, a pub-crawl of Camden's venues will leave you with unforgettable memories. Just for you, we have listed some of the best venues in Camden.

Clubs & Music Events

KOKO, formerly known as Camden Palace, is an old-fashioned club and a testimony to Camden's developing music scene. Many music legends have played some of their most famous tracks at this venue. The interiors with painted, glossy ceilings and columns decorated with Greek Gods and statuettes, really contrasts a modern Camden clubbing scene. Friday nights are indie themed while Saturdays are reserved for Guilty Pleasures cheese-fest.

The Roundhouse, originally built as a railway engine shed, is a legendary performing arts and concert venue in Camden. After reopening in 1964, the shed was adapted as a performing arts centre by playwright Arnold Wesker and his company The Centre 42 Theatre Company. Many artists, Broadway performers and international bands vie to display their talent at the Roundhouse. It has also been host to numerous music festivals such as the BBC Electric Proms, iTunes Festival, BT Digital Music Awards and the Vodafone Live Music Awards.

Just situated opposite Camden Tube Station, Camden Rock (formerly called WKD) is a club that arranges for various music genres with different themes. Numerous international music events are organized at the venue where you get to listen some of the best Eastern and African musical tracks that are not local to the UK. The bar downstairs is perfect for chatting and having a snack or two. Upstairs is the place where you can enjoy all the live acts. The nightclub is also one of the venues for the world renowned 'Camden Crawl'.

One of the most famous music venues in London, Underworld has played host to various influential artists such as Alabama 3, Sheryl Crow, the Foo Fighters and Slash's Snakepit. The venue is a part of the World's End pub, located in the basement of the building. Though a little expensive, you can get to hear the latest acts in the UK's alternative music scene. The interior of the venue has been suitably designed for a rock club while the acoustics definitely amplifies the ear shattering effect. Every night at the Underworld is themed differently, with names such as Popcorn, Soundtrack, Silver, Pump up the Volume, The Lock Up and Kung Fu.

The Barfly club might be a new entrant to Camden's alternative music scene, but it has established itself as one of the most happening venues in town. Bands such as Death in Vegas, The Doves, and Feeder have contributed to the fun and energetic atmosphere in the club. Some of most interesting new local talents can also be spotted here. Furthermore, they have a Bar Fly Acoustic night when the best of acoustic artists and bands play at the club.

Dingwalls is the perfect stop in Camden to experiment and experience different genres of music, stage acts and performances. Various bands and performers like Mumford and Sons, Foo Fighters and many others have played the stage at Dingwalls. On the other section of the music venue, The Lock 17 and the Market Bar offer entertainment alongside comedy. With a terrace bar offering a great view of the Camden Markets, the location of Dingwalls is its biggest advantage.

The Forum is a venue for a number of musical events and does not limit itself to any specific genre of music. Its reputation as one of the best live gig venues in London is lived up to by the many international and national bands that have played the stage. Here you can get to listen to a variety of bands such as Birdy and Mac Mille. When it's Saturday night at The Forum, they play the best of classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

The Electric Ballroom is probably pretty unique in the world, as it features a music venue along with an indoor market on weekends. It was the first club in London to use electric lighting in place of gas lamps, which gave it its name. Spaced out on three floors, each floor has its own DJ playing anything from industrial, punk and metal to drum 'n' bass, techno, disco and funk. There are a total of four bars with gaming machines and pool tables on the first floor. Sometimes, it also stages dance performances.

The Black Cap is one of the best nightlife venues in Camden with DJs spinning the tracks and keeping the party vibe pulsing all night long. The world famous drag cabaret venue is legendary for serving the gay scene for 50 years and continues to do it with the same passion. It has an interesting piece of history attached to it that says the place was visited by witches in the 16th century. The place is perfect to know what the Camden regulars actually love in music and dance.

Part of Jongleurs Comedy Club group, it is one of the most entertaining venues for a deep, hearty laugh. Located right in the centre of Camden Lock market, the location makes for a great evening out after a weary day of shopping. With all acts performing to a full house each night it is obvious that the talented comedians know their stuff. After the laughs, you can party the night away with live DJs spinning the latest tunes. It is the perfect place to arrange a birthday party, hen do or stag party.

Bars & Pubs

If you are a true blue fan of British pop music then the 'The Dublin Castle' offers a great chance to listen to your favourite bands such as Travis, 3 Colours Red and Blur. Local talents are encouraged by the pub, so you get to listen to some fresh music tracks rather than humdrums. The amazing acoustics along with the smoky interiors, give you a real feel of how a genuine pop and rock pub should be. This was a favourite performing and drinking hole for local legend, the late, great Amy Winehouse.

This legendary pub venue has fanatical music devotees gathering to listen to anything from Prog-Rock to Power Punk. The place is the starting point for bands who want to venture out in the international sector. Famous for unsigned acts, bands such as Nirvana and Blur have rocked the stage here before they made a name for themselves. The Bull & Gate is an amazing place to see up and coming talent before it hits the mainstream.

Located just next to the Camden Lock, The Fusilier & Firkin is known for handling extreme genres of music from Folk to Punk and Metal. Themed nights include Tuesday's and Wednesday's as Acoustic Café night, while Thursdays and Fridays are for those who enjoy the charged atmosphere of Punk, Rock and Metal. Weekend afternoons are especially for Ska classics. This is the place to be if you are fan of alternative and Goth culture and want to realize the real Camden experience!

One should not miss a chance of visiting Fifty Five Bar and Lounge when in Camden Town, as bartenders here show off some crazy and amazing bartending skills. It also plays some of the best indie pop and rock tunes right from the 70's until the present day. A high-end pub with a menu that lists almost 180 cocktails, there is definitely something to suit everybody's taste.

The Edinboro Castle, located a stone's throw away from Camden's vivacious markets and the historic Regent's Park, is a suave pub offering a broad range of speciality (including Belgian) beers, lagers and ciders on tap. The pub grub is not the regular burgers and chips but made from seasonal, regionally sourced produce. Its enormous outdoor beer garden is capable of holding 300 people where visitors can host BBQs & hog roasts during summer.

The Devonshire Arms' (popularly known as 'The Hobgoblin' or just 'The Dev') is one of the longest standing pubs in the UK where one can get to experience a genuine representation of Goth culture. You will find people dressed in uncommon styles and the music played here ranges from Goth, Rock, Alternative, Cyber, EBM, and Industrial. It plays live music 5 nights a week and is open until late Friday and Saturday. The pub serves some of best varieties of beers, wines and spirits along with regular pub food. Outdoor seating area for up to 35 guests is available and it caters for a maximum of 75 guests for private parties.

One of the oldest and most established live music venues in London, the Jazz Cafe also showcases original theatre and even opera performances thus giving it a classy and contemporary touch. Some of the best Jazz performers in the world have played here. And continue to do so!

Bar Vinyl is a great place to while away time over some cheap yet tasty drinks and snacks. The music played is the kinds of Fatboy Slim, Soul of Man and Lee Coombes. Finger Lick'n records occupies an office on the upper deck of the bar, while the basement is houses Vinyl addiction, a shop selling music records.

The Camden Head (formerly Liberties) is a bar cum restaurant that can turn out to be a great place for a glass of wine or to have a nice chitchat with your friends over a snack or two. With an all wood interior and food to match the lovely decor, The Head certainly gets the conversation going. You can try their bangers and mash which are a must try in any pub. There are plenty of other less traditional but just as tasty dishes like wild mushroom and sage risotto, coconut breaded butterfly prawns, bacon salad and warm butternut squash. In the evenings there are also impromptu spoken word events, comedy gigs and live music events arranged by the bar.

Creating a unique identity for itself as a burger bar, The Grand Union is a happy place to sit and relax as you bite on the burgers and sip on the 40 different types of cocktails. Eclectically decorated with Chinese lanterns and Japanese fans, you have the choice for entertaining at four different areas - Central Island Bar, Glassroom, Dining Area, or the Outdoor Area.

One of Camden's well known cocktail bars and live music venues, Bullet bar is cozily situated between Camden Town and Kentish Town. The interiors are designed in welcoming and celebratory bold colours that create a style of their own. Considering live music is its forte, the Bullet bar has some fantastic performers playing at the bar. Listen to new and experimental talent with a mug of the finest imported beer or one of their amazing cocktails.

A favourite celebrity joint, The Hawley Arms was destroyed badly by the Camden Market fire but after significant revamping, it is back to its original position as one of the top pubs and live music venues in London. Traditional drinks and ales are joined by a number of cocktails and wines to be enjoyed with great pub grub.

A favourite among Camden regulars, The Lock Tavern is a DJ and music venue, which has some of the big names in DJ industry playing for them. With a seating capacity of about 100 people and fair range of food and drinks, the place is a nice one to visit for those inclined towards the likes of indie dance. It has a decent (covered) beer garden and a roof terrace too.

Located inside the Camden Stables Market, Proud is a venerable institution in the live music scene. It is a gallery and relaxing cafe during the day with hot beverages, TV screens and a wide selection of PS3 video games aimed to provide a huge dose of entertainment. From 7:30 pm onwards, the place transforms itself into a live music venue and bar, hosting the best eclectic music in town.

An established bar and music event venue, The Purple Turtle has hosted some of the most interesting club events in the history of London's live music scene. Legendary band performers such as Cherry Cola and UPRAWR have impressed visitors at the bar, thus boosting its ranking as a music venue.